Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1887-06-04

MEMORIAL DAY IH0UGHTS.-Mon-
day was Memorial Day, and at Martins
1 burg. and throughout the whole land,
respect and tokens of love we're offered
to the memory of the sleeping dead who
persisted amid the smoke and noise of
the battle- field, or died from the slow
work of diseases contracted during the
late civil contest. The annual custom
of decking the unmarked mounds, and
bathing the floral offerings which cover
them, with tears of sympathy and an
guish. is a humane and patriotic one.
The flight of time has borne with it
much of the hate and prejudice that
marked the social relations existing a
quarter of a century ago. There may
yet remain beneath the white ashes that
cover the fires of the past, some few
Goals but let us hope they may have
nothing to feed upon, and may 60 out
forever. The world is too full of mis-
cry, Of woe, of contention, OF animosi-
ty! The softening and refining grace
of the Christian religion must gain a
mastery over these Forget the past,
to the extent, at least, of letting 1t be
buried. The danger, the peril, that
threatened the Union has been over
come the blow that was aimed at the
Nations heart, and at it's peace and
honor, has been warded-off, and tho
thousands of green mounds to-day
mark the resting places Of the heroic
defenders and upholders of the Union,
still there is a soft, warm place in our
hearts for the gallant and brave soldier
boys who wore the Gray. From
thousand happy homes in the Sunny
Southland, they went forth to the bat
tie. The records of history tell how
well they fought; and the memory of
those living, who wore the Blue, yet re-
tains many acts of noble generosity
and kindness which they did. But they
failed. The black wings Of the Fates
tapped in their faces, and forced them
to give up their bright visions and pref
ty ideas of State Sovereignty. The vic
tory rested with the hosts of the Union;
"God reigned and the Government at
Washington still lives" Time heals
all wounds time will blot out the
bloody memories of the civil war. The
strewing of the prettiest offerings of
cultivated gardens and of Natures
widest hooks, will bring about the old
time American unity of love and unity
of interests. How sweet will be the
time when, North and South shall be
as one people when peace and love, the
stay of good government and the hope
of future greatness, shall dwell in uni
ty in the hearts of all. The soldier boys
sleeping in strange chimes, beneath
strange skies, far from home and wife
and sweetheart, rest all unmindful OF
the falling tears and fragrant flowers.
They cannot know of the attachment
which is becoming stronger and strong
er between the once warning forces and
which will eventually bind the Ameri-
can people in bonds Of unity. as strong
as meshes of steel, and as lasting as
eternity. Friends, Americans. step
forward don't sigh over the past !;
don't stop to gaze at the black stumps
aud blighted scenes of the war Your
country, your conscience, your love of
right and your sense of manliness, all
urge you to stand up like men. The
past must be forgotten that the future
may brighten. Shall we stand amid
the shadows Of the night, moping like
owls in the white light, or shall we
step out into the sunshine which God
SO lavishly gives, and become invigor-
ated and cheerful Thank God for
the revival of that true biotherly love
and fellowship which makes us men and
brothers again. Strew the lovely offer
ing of the Springtime, and glory in the
blessed thought that "Peace hath her
victories no less renowned than war"
Peace to the sleeping warriors and rev.
erence for their valor and memory.
BY the flow of the inland river,
Whence the fleets of iron have fled,
Where blades of the green grass culver,
Asleep are the ranks of the dead;
Under the sod and the dew;
Waiting the judgment day;
Under the one, the blue;
Under the other, the gray.
These, in the robings of glory,
Those, in the gloom of defeat;
All with the battle-blood CORY,
In the dusk Of eternity meet;
Under the sod and the dew,
Waiting the judgment day;
Under the laurel, the blue;
Under the willow, the gray.